Tag Archives: apple
Social marketing alert: Twitter for iPhone update places premium on relevant content
Self-proclaimed “Apple Intelligence” source 9to5Mac.com recently revealed leaked information from Twitter that could give iPhone users enhanced notifications that are personalized to users and hit on updated, trending Twitter content. Many of the new features will give companies using social media marketing a greater impetus keep their Twitter feeds fresh with unique and targeted content for iPhone (and other) users. Many of the new tools Twitter has rolled out for general web use will soon come to its Twitter for iPhone app based on the source’s report. Among these are expanded Tweets, which will allow users to access more content from specific partner sites directly on Twitter, and the updated Discovery Tab that alerts users when new content is available to them. The new search tools Brafton highlighted will also be on the the company’s iPhone app, along with personalized trends. Twitter recently announced targeted trends as part of its effort to make the experience more relevant to individuals based on their interests rather than their regions. Now, the trending topics are served based on the content shared by followers and accounts followed Bringing an experience as similar as possible to smartphones means social media marketing campaigns accessed on mobile apps will be engaged with similar to the desktop web. This is important for Twitter marketing, in particular, as Brafton has reported that 60 percent of active users access the site via mobile devices. In general, Twitter is pushing to unify user experience across all devices. Continue reading
Mobile search major focus at Google I/O
At the first day of Google I/O, the company detailed a series of new search features aimed at making life easier for users of Android-powered smartphones. The additions should help make the company’s mobile search product become as seamless as its desktop search, which might help marketers reach on-the-go search audiences more effectively. Given a recent report from BIA/Kelsey cited by Brafton, which found that more than 30 billion mobile search queries will take place in 2012, developing a strategy to target smartphone and tablet owners now may help a company in the long term. Moreover, mobile is set to surpass desktop search by 2015, according to the study. Among Google’s adjustments is Google Now, an entirely contextual search structure that will help Android users keep track of their days more efficiently and find search results based on customized factors, such as time of day, their calendar appointments and physical location, that change frequently. The tool presents results far different from the traditional SERPs, which can be difficult to navigate on most Android-powered handsets. The new SERPs, or information cards as they’ve been called, are specific to each user, but searchers can easily see the traditional Android SERP layout with a single swipe. While the move means that mobile SEO capability may be unlikely to impact users seeking local information, since they won’t initially see usual SERPs, general searches on the web will still be affected by search campaigns. As such, leveraging a content marketing strategy that focuses on mobile SEO best practices can help businesses rank well. Google’s Pierre Farr recently highlighted the company’s stance on mobile SEO, urging marketers to create a single domain to serve all traffic regardless of the visitors’ device, Brafton reported. The growth in capability of both smartphones and tablets, paired with increased reliance demonstrated by a Pew poll that more than half of Americans access the web through a mobile phone, cements mobile as a critical component of web marketing campaigns moving forward. More than half of all smartphone users currently own devices running Google’s mobile OS, so the move will have a major impact on the search habits of a substantial number of Americans. According to Google, these changes will come when Android 4.1, Jelly Bean, is released later this year. Currently, the iteration is set for release in mid-July, but users will have to wait until the manufacturers of their handsets make it available. According to Google, these changes will come when Android 4.1, Jelly Bean, is released later this year. Currently, the iteration is set for release in mid-July, but users will have to wait until the manufacturers of their handsets make it available. Other additions that Google believes will help its smartphone customers include an improved voice assistant that can be used for web search, as well as regular navigation through their smartphones and other functions. Much like Apple’s Siri, Google’s voice assistant presents data on its own customized pages, so data is organized in a more efficient manner. With its focus on a more contextual mobile experience growing, ensuring users find only the information they’re seeking will be the ultimate test. Jelly Bean’s pending release is also important given the announcement of the Nexus 7, a new tablet from Google and Asus. Highlighting the release of the device, Brafton recently cited data from an AYTM Market Research report that found consumers and companies interested in deploying tablets are looking for more options than Apple’s iPad. While the current leader of the industry is highly capable and satisfies most users, Android’s overall popularity has led some to consider releases running the mobile operating system. Other highlights from Google I/O include new features for Google+, which Brafton recently detailed. Social media marketing campaigns that don’t currently include Google’s year-old social network may want to make the move in light of the company’s push to improve the platform’s capability. Among the additions was a long-awaited Android app for tablets, with the iPad equivalent coming soon. Continue reading
Mobile search alert: Google rolls out Chrome apps for iPad, iPhone
At day two of Google I/O, Google announced the rollout of Chrome iOS apps for both the iPad and the iPhone – both devices are currently the most popular in their markets. Even as the relationship between Apple and Google remains less than civil, the popularity of each company’s technology forces them to make some considerations for users, and search marketers should consider that this move positions Google for total mobile search market dominance. The Chrome apps for the iPad and iPhone will allow users to access their desktop bookmarks and history from their mobile devices. With recent search history included in this, the mobile search experience on Apple devices is becoming increasingly convenient for users and rewarding across devices for websites that catch repeat visitors. According to Google, there are more than 310 million active users of its Chrome web browser around the world. This represents massive growth since 2011′s conference when 160 million people were Chrome users. For marketers, Chrome’s availability as a browser and app on Apple products further places emphasis on mobile SEO. Brafton recently cited data from BIA/Kelsey that found mobile search queries should surpass 30 billion this year and will likely overtake desktop searches by 2015 when smartphones and tablets are likely to be used by most Americans. This builds on Google’s efforts to unify its services beyond the privacy policy it announced earlier this year, which essentially allowed the company to access user information from all Google services to inform their tailored experience on any one of them. Marketers can benefit from this unification with a strong social media marketing effort on Google+ will help a brand’s standing in Google search. Now, encouraging mobile users to save their activity from desktop search and access it on their handsets means content that appealed to a user at home can be pulled up easily when they’re on the go. Apple users have been the target of several Google moves lately, as the Google search app for iPhone recently received a facelift, Brafton reported. The updated app allows users to leverage iOS’ Siri to conduct quick voice searches, as well as the ability to move between all Google apps they have on their iPhone with a button on the search homescreen. As Google makes search easier for the dominant mobile market, the value of SEO efforts to reach consumers at home or on the go grows. Tailoring its services for Apple’s mobile users makes sense for Google given the frequency with which they use search. Brafton recently highlighted data from Chitika that found Apple’s mobile audience turns to search more frequently than users of any other operating system, desktop or mobile. Continue reading
Android, iOS continue to top smartphone market, more users access social content
Market research firm comScore recently released its monthly analysis of the American smartphone market and found that Google’s Android now serves more than half of all users. This represents a 2.2 percentage point increase from March, while Apple has jumped to 31.4 percent. BlackBerry’s demise continues with the company falling to 11.6 percent of the market. Research In Motion, manufacturer of the BlackBerry, dropped 3.6 percentage points, according to comScore. New activations are landing almost exclusively with Android-powered smartphones and iPhones, while BlackBerry continues to hemorrhage users. In terms of smartphone activity, users are spending more time browsing the mobile web and using social networks on their devices. Thirty-six percent of smartphone users turned to Facebook, Twitter or another social network in the month, which was a 0.3 percentage point increase from the previous month’s study. Moreover, nearly half accessed the mobile web, using it to search the the internet and conduct other tasks. Making room for mobile users in marketing strategies is critical as more users turn to their devices to interact with brands. Brafton recently reported that B2B buyers are among the most active users of the mobile web to research purchase decisions. Nearly one-quarter of respondents to a survey from Oracle said that the mobile web is a critical touchpoint in terms of interacting with the B2B audience. Furthermore, making adjustments to SEO strategy to reach mobile users is quickly becoming a competitive necessity for B2B companies. Continue reading
Apple’s iOS claims highest percentage of mobile search
A report from Chitika found that Apple’s iOS, the operating system that powers the iPhone and iPad, has contributed substantially to the rise of mobile search. The study found that Apple’s mobile devices had the highest percentage of all web activity related to search, with 54 percent of all iPhone or iPad mobile internet use dedicated to conducting searches. Similarly, Apple’s desktop Mac OS had the second highest percentage of web access related to search activity, with 48 percent of Mac-based internet traffic devoted to search. Android users were third, with 43 percent of web activity dedicated to search. With both iOS and Android processing so many queries, it’s clear that the growing smartphone population is becoming more comfortable using their devices to find information quickly Continue reading
